Grzesik's Science project

Broad Question

What is fat?

Specific Question

How is a snack's fat amount related to it's calories?

Variables

Independent Variable:
type of snack food
Dependent Variable:
amount of fat
Variables That Need To Be Controlled:
the paper, and the time

Hypothesis

My hypothesis is that Fritos would have the most fat and the most calories and that Ritz would have the least fat. I also hypothesize that the more fat the snack has, the more calories it will have.

Graph of Hypothesis

Experimental Design

My experiment will be experimented at home. I will be the only person participating in my experiment. I will do 8 trials for each food when testing fat. I will do 1 trial for each food when testing calories. I will record my data on a spreadsheet I print out from the computer. I will document my project by taking pictures with my dad's camera and upload them onto the computer.

MaterialList

Materials
1. Fritos-Frito Variety
2. Potato Chips-Sour Cream and Onion Variety
3. Cheetos-Cheeto Variety
4. Ritz Crackers-Ritz Variety
5. Doritos-Nacho Cheese Variety
6. 7 pieces of Computer Paper

1. Bottomless Can
2. Smaller can
3. Paper clips
4. Play-Doh
5. Thermometer
6. Measuring cup
7. Water
8. Scale
9. Fritos-Frito Variety
10. Potato Chips-Sour Cream and Onion Variety
11. Cheetos-Cheeto Variety
12. Ritz Crackers-Ritz Variety
13. Doritos-Nacho Cheese Variety

Detailed Procedure

Procedure

On 7 pieces of regular computer paper draw 8 circles on each sheet in sharpie so it bleeds through.
Label each of the eight circles 1-8 in tally marks on each paper.
Label each paper with a different snack food.
Place the Snack food in a bag and crush it into itty bitty pieces
Take the crushed pieces and rub them on the paper for that food in each of the 8 different special circles. Leave the food on the paper.
After 10 minutes brush off the food into the trash and save the paper.
Repeat with each snack food.
Compare each of the grease stains and try to order them from greasiest to least greasy.

1.Build a stand for the food out of Play-Doh and paperclips.
2.Poke a big hole into the large can.
3.Poke four wholes into the small can and put two unfolded paper clips through it.
4.Suspend the small can over the large can and fill with 100ml water.
5.Place food on the stand and place the stand under the large can.
6.Measure the temperature of the water and the mass of the food.
7.Light the food through the whole and wait until it burns.
8.Measure the temperature of the water and the weight of the food.
9.Repeat with each food.

Data Table

Background Research

Energy is stored in the food we eat. This energy is called calories. We need calories and fat to live but too much makes us fat. Depending on your age and physical activity you need different amount of calories. School age kids need 1,600 to 2,500 calories a day. Your body needs the calories to work. Fat is one of the three nutrients that supplies calories to the body. Eating too much saturated fat can give you heart disease. Fat in the body stores extra calories.

REFERENCES

Source: Rees, Jonathan. Eating Properly. North Mankato, MN: Smart Apple Media, 2006. Print.
Source: "Learning About Calories." KidsHealth - the Web's Most Visited Site about Children's Health. Web. 26 Jan. 2012. <http://kidshealth.org/kid/nutrition/food/calorie.html>.

Source: "Fat Nutrition - Nutrition, Function, Side Effects - NY Times Health Information." Health News - The New York Times. Web. 08 Feb. 2012. <http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/nutrition/fat/overview.html>.